Riyan Parag to Lead Rajasthan Royals in First Three IPL 2025 Matches as Sanju Samson Recovers

Rajasthan Royals' young batter Riyan Parag has been named captain for the first three games of IPL 2025, marking his debut as a leader in the tournament. The decision comes as regular skipper Sanju Samson continues to recover from an injury to his right index finger.

Although Samson will feature in the matches as a specialist batter, he is yet to regain full fitness for wicket-keeping duties. His temporary absence from the leadership role suggests he might be utilized as an impact player until he is fit enough to take on his regular responsibilities.

Sanju Samson’s Update on Leadership Change

The news of Parag’s captaincy was disclosed in an informal team chat, where Samson addressed the squad. The video was shared by Rajasthan Royals on their social media platforms.

"I'm yet to be fully fit for the next three games," Samson told the team.
"There are many leaders in this team. Over the last few years, there have been some great people who have taken care of this environment really nicely. For the next three games, Riyan will be leading the team. I expect everyone to support him and be with him."

Despite handing over the captaincy temporarily, Samson will still be present at the IPL captains' meeting in Mumbai, representing RR.

Samson's Injury Recovery and Fitness Tests

Sanju Samson sustained a right index finger injury during India's home T20I series against England earlier this year. Following surgery, he has shown rapid progress in his recovery but continues to face discomfort while wicket-keeping.

According to Cricbuzz’s latest update, Samson has been granted a partial clearance to play as a batter but is yet to pass fitness tests for wicket-keeping. He will undergo another fitness assessment at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) after RR’s first three games.

What This Means for Rajasthan Royals

• Riyan Parag’s Leadership Debut: The young all-rounder will have a chance to showcase his captaincy skills at the highest level.
• Samson as an Impact Player: With Samson playing solely as a batter, RR may strategize his role accordingly.
• Wicket-Keeping Uncertainty: RR will need an alternate wicket-keeper for the first few games unless Samson clears the fitness test sooner.

As the IPL 2025 season kicks off, Rajasthan Royals will be hoping for a strong start under Parag’s leadership while awaiting Samson’s full recovery.

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